Researching Intex AG Pools - Looking for Advice

[katiedid]

Hi,

I’m looking to get an Intex AG pool, rectangle, 2,800 gallon capacity that comes with a cartridge filter (full details below).


110-120V Krystal Clear™ cartridge filter pump, pump flow rate: 1,000 Gph
Approximate set-up size: 16ft X 8ft X 42in
Water capacity: 2,873 gallons (90%)

Was wondering a couple things:
A) I’ve read most people get a larger pump; what size would you get?

B) I also read sand filters are better. Would you switch to that? How large?

C) I would want to use saltwater instead of chlorine. Any issues with converting to that?

I’m 100% new to pool ownership & really want to make the pool last for my son and I.

Thanks for any input.

 

[ajw22]

At less then 3,000 gallons you should not overly complicate your pool. Consider maintaining it as a seasonal pool.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[katiedid]

At less then 3,000 gallons you should not overly complicate your pool. Consider maintaining it as a seasonal pool.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

thanks so much, however I see that guide talks about chlorine and I want to use saltwater.

 

[ajw22]

thanks so much, however I see that guide talks about chlorine and I want to use saltwater.

Does not make a difference. A SWG just generates the needed chlorine instead of you lugging jugs of liquid chlorine and pouring it in the pool. Both are chlorine pools.

 

[Dadofthree74]

We have 3900 intex pool.

1. We first had a 12” intex sand pump but got the larger 14” intex sand pump. Works great. either size would be fine for your pool.
2. we also use the Intex skimmer and vacuum.
3. lastly we do have a swg. Have the 15,000 gallon.
While the pump and swg maybe to large for our pool we are planning on upsizing. This is our first year as well. We did not even open the cartridge pump.

 

[jmcdtucson]

Welcome to TFP! You'll find everything you need here.
As ajw22 said, saltwater is just a different way of creating chlorine using a saltwater generator. Some people think chlorine is bad, but it's a myth. Chlorine is the best way to sanitize a pool. The bad smells and other effects often blamed on chlorine are due to poor pool maintenance.
That said, a saltwater pool is nice and it does allow you to maintain a somewhat lower chlorine level. You'll need to buy a saltwater generator. Intex makes one.
Sand filters are also nice. But with that pool you might just wait and see how it goes with the cartridge filter.
If you do go with the sand filter, even the smallest intex sand filter and pump should be fine for you.

 

[kellyfair]

People tend to trade up sizes once they buy their first, so certainly could look at buying larger pump/filter than you really need if you think you might graduate up a size or two over next couple of years.

 

[scout123]

When i got my first intex, it was a 12x30 round and about 2100 gallons. I upgraded to the intex combo sand filter/pump/swg. It's a cheap way to upgrade and use a better sand filter and an swg for these small pools. I'm using the same setup with my new 15 foot pool (3800 gallons) and it works great. I'm on year 3 with it. The only thing I don't like about the combo is that if you want to run the filter longer than needed to use the swg to generate the chlorine needed, then you have to manually change it. I don't do that often so it's not a big deal to me, but it would be a pain if you wanted to do that everyday. The reason I like it is it's cheap (I got mine off amazon for $254) and I didn't want to put $1000 into a cheap pool and it works for my pool. I don't expect it to last more than 5 years, and that's okay with me.
edit: I just looked it up online and on amazon they are double what they were a few months ago. Everytihng pool wise has gone up this year it seams. I"d probalby use liquid chlorine this season and then look for something next. I have a hard time paying a whole lot more for somejting just bc everything is in short supply.

 

[katiedid]

Does not make a difference. A SWG just generates the needed chlorine instead of you lugging jugs of liquid chlorine and pouring it in the pool. Both are chlorine pools.

Ahh, such a newbie. Thanks for educating me.

 

[katiedid]

Thanks everyone. Such great tips.

Yes, even the pools themselves have doubled in price! Everyone’s at home and now everyone wants a pool!

 

[Wobblerlorri]

I have a 14'x48" Bestway pool, 4100 gal, and ditched that cruddy cartridge filter the first week. Loud, inefficient, and underpowered. I got a 0.5 hp pump and 13" sand filter combo off eBay before the pool was a week old.

Now I'm upgrading to a 1 hp pump, just waiting on delivery of a 19" sand filter (Pool Supplies Superstore this time, for y'all following along). I want to run a Polaris 360 cleaner and get better circulation in the pool, too. Plus eventually upgrade the size of the pool to a 17' or larger, if the prices normalize.

Buy for the pool you hope to have, not the one you've got.

 

[katiedid]

I have a 14'x48" Bestway pool, 4100 gal, and ditched that cruddy cartridge filter the first week. Loud, inefficient, and underpowered. I got a 0.5 hp pump and 13" sand filter combo off eBay before the pool was a week old.

Now I'm upgrading to a 1 hp pump, just waiting on delivery of a 19" sand filter (Pool Supplies Superstore this time, for y'all following along). I want to run a Polaris 360 cleaner and get better circulation in the pool, too. Plus eventually upgrade the size of the pool to a 17' or larger, if the prices normalize.

Buy for the pool you hope to have, not the one you've got.

Thank you, super useful